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DC127

Common Entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics

Course Details

CAO Code:
DC127
Course Type:
Undergraduate
NFQ Level:
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Modes
Full-Time
Minimum Points
545
Duration
2 + 2 Years
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 5294

Want to use your love of and talent for mathematics to set yourself apart on the job market?

Overview

Overview Icon

If you’d like to qualify for in-demand quantitative roles in the insurance and financial industry, the Common Entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics programme (CAFM) might be for you. It’s especially ideal if you’d like the flexibility to explore different areas of maths before choosing how you’ll specialise. 

After this two-year course, you choose whether to spend the next two years studying to get a degree in Actuarial Mathematics (ACM) or in Financial Mathematics (FIM). The modules taken in CAFM are the same as in years 1 and 2 of its twin programme Actuarial Mathematics (ACM), to which you can apply directly through the CAO. Therefore, CAFM offers an alternative route into ACM. Entry into FIM, on the other hand, is guaranteed and exclusive through CAFM.

Deep theory and expert skills
You’ll learn the fundamental mathematical principles that underpin the state-of-the-art actuarial and financial models you’ll study in later years, along with computer programming, data analysis, economics and accounting. You’ll also gain highly valuable general analytic skills, allowing you to understand and analyse matters in a systematic way, making you an ideal problem-solver.  

Whichever path you choose after the first two years, you’ll do an eight-month paid internship in your third year. This could be in a large insurance company, an actuarial consultancy, an investment bank or a trading house. Once you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as an actuary, in financial services or in other roles, such as data scientist.

DCU People

Profile picture of Aisling Crean-Lynch
Aisling Crean Lynch
Alumni

DCU was the only college offering entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics when Aisling Crean-Lynch was unsure if “the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics would be a good fit for me.”


Read more about Aisling Crean Lynch
Profile picture of John Appleby
John Appleby
Staff

My research interest lies in differential equations.


Read more about John Appleby
Profile picture of Darragh Pidgeon
Darragh Pidgeon
Student

The common entry to Actuarial and Financial Maths course at DCU proved worthwhile and memorable.


Read more about Darragh Pidgeon
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Olivia Mcloughlin
Student

After starting at DCU through the Common Entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics (CAFM) because I wasn’t entirely sure which area of maths I wanted to study for my degree, I chose to study a


Read more about Olivia Mcloughlin

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

For further information on the various professional opportunities review the entry for the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics or the BSc in Financial Mathematics.

DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making applications.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements Icon

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

Minimum of H3 in Mathematics

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

GCE A Level B Mathematics

Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.

Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.

To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.

No Entry Path

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Course Structure

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The Common Entry structure allows you to make an informed decision about which stream to specialise in after first studying fundamental courses such as analysis, algebra and probability, together with computing and statistics.

At the end of Year Two, students on this Common Entry programme enter one of two courses—there are a limited number of places in the third year of the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics, with entry based on a student’s performance in Years One and Two.

  • Analysis 
  • Calculus 
  • Probability 
  • Computing for Mathematics 
  • Linear Mathematics 
  • Microeconomics 
  • Sequences and Series 
  • Macroeconomics 
  • Financial Modelling with Excel
  • Statistics 
  • Calculus 
  • Linear Algebra 
  • Numerical Methods 
  • Analysis 
  • Differential Equations 
  • Probability 
  • Mathematics of Finance 
  • Accounting  

Fees and Funding

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Fees

Student Contribution.
€3,043 per annum
EU Status Fee
€6,250 per annum
Non EU Fee.
€16,400 per annum

How To Apply

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EU School Leavers/FETAC Level 5 Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May 

To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Please provide 

  • Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.

Apply through the CAO by 1st February.

No entry path.

Candidates presenting EU qualifications are required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie

Candidates presenting non-EU qualifications are required to apply directly here.  

Life On Campus

Life on Campus
DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

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What is an actuary? 
Actuaries work with other people using mathematics (and computing) to solve problems related to financial risk. Very often they work in insurance companies, working on such things as calculating insurance payments of different kinds, pensions and financial risk management - helping individuals and companies to plan for their financial future. They earn very good salaries (starting at c. €35K, with a significant jump when they complete their professional qualifications), and work in a stimulating and challenging environment that has lots of different career opportunities.